Trojans ride 412-yard, 7-TD effort by Colbert to win

That amount divides into 412 yards — which is the damage Colbert inflicted single-handedly — and on two legs — in Friday’s Caney Valley vs. Oklahoma Union high school football slobberknocker.

Colbert passed for 254 yards and ran for 158 — and had a hand in seven touchdowns — to energize Caney Valley to a 47-40 victory in District 2A-8 action.

Brandon Fogle hauled in nine catches for 132 yards — and one score — to provide the No. 2 punch for the Caney Valley Trojans.

Oklahoma Union, meanwhile, relied heavily on fullback Casey Armstrong to carry most the load. Quarterback Seth Long and halfback Joey Russ also made major contributions for the Cougars.

But, the Trojans — who extended their winning streak to four straight — refused to be denied.

They led by nine at halftime, 29-20, and repelled a spirited OUHS charge in the final two quarters.

OUHS scored with two minutes left to get within seven points, 47-40. But, Caney Valley recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the block.

“I’m just liking the fact I get to be in command of them (Trojan players),” said Caney Valley head coach Stephen Mitchell. “All the glory goes to God. They’re battling, which is all we ask them to do. We have a philosophy this year, brick-by-brick.”

Caney Valley (4-1, 2-0) is just one win away from locking down its first non-losing season and playoff appearance since 2012.

Oklahoma Union, meanwhile, continued to suffer from the frustrating plague of so close-so far. For the third straight week the Cougars (2-4, 0-2) lost by a touchdown-or-less.

They had an answer for almost every Caney Valley score on Friday — but no solution for Caney Valley’s strategy.

“We came out passing the ball to try to get their big guys tired and then tried to run the ball,” Mitchell explained.

Colbert proved masterful in the aerial game — 20-of-25 for 254 yards and three touchdowns. He hooked up with three different receivers for scoring touchdowns — Phillip Valentine, Fogle and Brayden Keith. Valentine and Keith racked up 61 and 70 yards receiving, respectively.